Green Day may have already won Grammys for its album American Idiot, but the band might have to prepare some new acceptance speeches if "American Idiot: The Musical" takes Broadway by storm -- fingers crossed! -- and the Tony awards come calling. We can't think of a better way to commemorate the meeting of peroxide punks and Park Ave. Playbill holders by making Green Day our P.U.S.H. (Play Until Someone Hears) artist of the week.
Directed by Michael Mayer and starring John Gallagher, Jr., both of "Spring Awakening" fame, the "American Idiot" rock opera was first staged at California's Berkeley Rep Theater late last year and received rave reviews. During a recent interview with Playbill.com, Armstrong revealed that, at the beginning of the recording process, he had lofty goals for the concept album since the beginning of recording. " I visualized the characters in my head, and starting thinking, 'Wow, this could totally be staged ... it could be something.'"
Now that "something" has evolved into a Broadway musical. While "American Idiot: The Musical" doesn't officially open until April 20, there are already talks of Tom Hanks and his production company Playtone turning the musical into a feature film a la "Mama Mia!" We had no idea Tom Hanks was so punk rock. For more deets and a trailer of "American Idiot: The Musical," follow the jump.
Is embracing the Broadway set a questionable move for one of the last big punk bands? "What makes a true artist is putting yourself out there and doing things that are dangerous and vulnerable," commented Billie Joe, in an interview to ABC News. His risk paid off at the show's first staging, as SFist.com gushed: "The cast, led by Tony-winner John Gallagher Jr., is phenomenal and the physicality they bring to the show and Steven Hoggett's punk-esque choreography deserve a lot of praise."
For a trailer of "American Idiot: The Musical," check out the video below, and if you're in the New York City area, be sure to reserve your tickets when the musical opens on April 20 at the St. James Theatre. Look for more info about P.U.S.H. artist Green Day -- including an MTV interview -- and "American Idiot" throughout the week.
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